Study: Rhinovirus may have stalled H1N1
Rhinovirus may have edged out pandemic flu in France this fall, delaying the start of the fall pandemic wave compared with other European countries, according to a study in Clinical Microbiology and Infection. Researchers analyzed novel H1N1 and rhinovirus samples from a pediatric hospital from weeks 36 to 48 of the flu season and found an inverse relationship between rhinovirus and pandemic flu detections. They wrote that rhinovirus infections may interfere with flu transmission.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123266593/abstract
Jan 28 Clin Microbiol Infect study
Artificial insemination may spread flu in turkeys
The pandemic H1N1 virus can infect turkeys when sick workers artificially inseminate the birds, leading to a drop in egg production, according to a study in Virology Journal. Researchers have been unable to reproduce infections in turkeys through standard routes, but the new report details how the virus transmits during intrauterine inoculation. The finding suggests that protective measures during artificial insemination may help poultry farms prevent disease outbreaks.
http://www.virologyj.com/content/7/1/27
Feb 3 Virol J study
Hungary shutters H1N1 vaccine clinics
Hungary's health minister announced yesterday the closure of pandemic H1N1 vaccination centers, Xinhua reported. The country said it will reopen them if public demand rises, and the vaccine will still be available elsewhere. The centers delivered about 92,000 doses, and the total number of vaccinated Hungarians so far is 3 million, about a third of the population. The health minister said doctor's visits for flulike illnesses had increased slightly compared with the past 2 weeks.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-02/04/c_13162703.htm
Feb 3 Xinhua story
Gorillas get pandemic flu vaccine
Six Western Lowland gorillas at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo received the human H1N1 vaccine yesterday, the Boston Globe reported. The zoo usually immunizes the gorillas against seasonal flu each fall, but they will receive those doses next week. Area hospitals donated the vaccine. The zoo's director of veterinary services said gorillas are susceptible to human diseases and are often protected with human vaccines.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/04/he_took_his_shot_like_a_man/
Feb 4 Boston Globe story
